Concentrator with electronic handheld remote delivery device

ABSTRACT

A system that enables remote adjustment of oxygen flow from an oxygen source includes a gas source device fluidly coupled to a gas source, a remote delivery device with an outlet for providing gas to a user and an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of the gas source device, wherein the gas source device has a control system. The control system determines a current control setting of the remote delivery device based on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device and modifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device based on the current control setting of the remote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gas associated with the current control setting is delivered to the inlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/854,930, filed May 30, 2019. The subject matter ofthis related application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Various Embodiments

The various embodiments relate generally to medical devices and, morespecifically, to a concentrator with an electronic handheld remotedelivery device.

Description of the Related Art

Oxygen therapy is the standard of care for many patients with early tomid-stage lung diseases. In particular, individuals with chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the third leading cause of deathin the United States, are prescribed with oxygen therapy to increaseblood oxygen saturation. Individuals that require such oxygen therapytypically have a centralized oxygen source within their home. Oxygensources can be either liquid oxygen canisters, high-pressure oxygencylinders, or oxygen concentrators.

Stationary and portable oxygen concentrators utilize a process calledpressure swing adsorption (PSA) to increase the oxygen concentration ofthe incoming ambient air before it is delivered to the patient.Generally, the delivered oxygen concentration is between 90 and 96% dueto concentrator efficiencies and remaining constituent elements in theair that does not get adsorbed in the process. Other terminology and/orderivatives of this process have been developed: Rapid Pressure SwingAdsorption (RPSA), Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA), etc.

Stationary oxygen concentrators use this process to deliver a constantflow of oxygen to the patient, typically 1 to 10 LPM. Some portableoxygen concentrators cannot generate enough oxygen for a therapeuticlevel of continuous oxygen, rather they provide a small pulse or bolus(˜10 ml) upon the detection of an inspiratory effort, which typically isa net delivery of 0.25 TO 1.5 LPM. Spontaneous delivery of oxygen duringthe inspiratory phase has proven to be sufficient therapy for patientswith minimal requirement for supplemental oxygen. Both stationary andportable oxygen concentrators deliver oxygen to the patient through anasal cannula.

Because state-of-the-art oxygen concentrators produce undesirable levelsof noise and heat during operation, oxygen concentrators are typicallymaintained in a remote location within the home—usually in a differentroom than that occupied by the user. Similarly, liquid oxygen canistersand high-pressure oxygen cylinders are bulky and heavy, and typicallyremain in a fixed, out-of-the-way location. Therefore, to enable a userto move freely about the home, long segments of extension tubing (forexample >10 foot lengths) are used to connect the user's nasal cannulato the home oxygen source. The use of extension tubing also allowsoxygen sources to be placed in locations that are isolated from normaltraffic areas in the home.

One drawback to remotely locating an oxygen source within a home orresidence is that a user is usually a considerable distance away fromthe flow controls of the oxygen source, which prevents the user frombeing able to control the flow of oxygen from the oxygen source fromhis/her current location. This problem is exacerbated by the fact thatoxygen needs are highly dependent on the user's current activity level,such as sitting, standing, or walking.

For example, a typical user complaint is that they need to turn thesource flow to an elevated level to enable the user to walk to adifferent location within the home, but then, once stationary in the newlocation (seated or laying down), the users oxygen needs are reduced andthey would prefer to turn the source flow to a lower level as theiroxygen requirements are reduced. In addition, the oxygen gas has a lowrelative humidity and excessive flow rates create nasal drying.Unfortunately, once the user has walked to the new location, he/she isnot able to reduce the flow of oxygen without assistance from anotherperson and the act of returning to the oxygen source to change thesetting and then walking back to the seated location would require theundesired elevated flow setting. The user is typically forced to set theoxygen flow rate to a level that is not ideal for either sitting orambulating.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art are moreeffective ways to remotely adjust oxygen levels and therapy whenconnected to an oxygen source.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique forremotely adjusting oxygen flow from an oxygen source that is distal to auser. In the embodiment, a system includes a gas source device fluidlycoupled to a gas source, a remote delivery device with an outlet forproviding gas to a user and an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of thegas source device, wherein the gas source device has a control system.The control system determines a current control setting of the remotedelivery device based on pneumatic feedback from the remote deliverydevice and modifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source deviceto the remote delivery device based on the current control setting ofthe remote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gasassociated with the current control setting is delivered to the inlet.

At least one technical advantage of the disclosed techniques relative tothe prior art is that the disclosed techniques enable a user to remotelyadjust the flow volume of a supply gas, such as oxygen, with a handhelddevice that is remote from the gas source. Thus, a user can increase asupply gas flow volume from the gas source while ambulating and then,when stationary, can reduce the supply gas flow volume as needed.Another technical advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a flowcontrol system for a supply gas can be configured to deliver multipletypes of oxygen therapy, such as the industry standard constant flowoxygen delivery and inspiratory-triggered volume delivery. A furthertechnical advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a flow controlsystem can facilitate oxygen therapy in entrainment ventilation, whichtypically has higher delivery flow rates and provides positive pressureventilation. This technical advantage represents one or moretechnological improvements over prior art approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the variousembodiments can be understood in detail, a more particular descriptionof the inventive concepts, briefly summarized above, may be had byreference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in theappended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appendeddrawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the inventive conceptsand are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope in any way, andthat there are other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an oxygen delivery system configured to implement oneor more aspects of the various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a closer view of the remote delivery device of FIG. 1,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed illustration of the remote delivery device ofFIG. 1, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of the gas source device of FIG.1, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 sets forth a flow diagram of method steps for delivering a supplygas to a user interface device in a constant flow mode, according tovarious embodiments; and

FIG. 6 sets forth a flowchart of method steps for delivering a supplygas to a user interface device in an intermittent flow mode, accordingto various embodiments.

For clarity, identical reference numbers have been used, whereapplicable, to designate identical elements that are common betweenfigures. It is contemplated that features of one embodiment may beincorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a more thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, itwill be apparent to one of skill in the art that the embodiments may bepracticed without one or more of these specific details.

Gas Delivery System

FIG. 1 illustrates an oxygen delivery system 100 configured to implementone or more aspects of the various embodiments. Oxygen delivery system100 includes a remote delivery device 120, a gas source 130 with a gassource device 140, and a user interface device 150. As shown, gas sourcedevice 140 is pneumatically coupled to gas source 130, and remotedelivery device 120 is pneumatically coupled to user interface device150 and to gas source 130 via gas source device 140.

In operation, gas source device 140 determines a current setting ofremote deliver device 120 and adjusts the flow volume of supply gasdelivered to remote delivery device 120 accordingly. For example, when auser changes a setting at remote delivery device 120, gas source device140 determines the new setting of remote delivery device 120, determinesa current flow volume (rate of flow) to remote delivery device 120, andcompares the current flow volume to the target rate flow volume for thenew setting of remote delivery device 120. Based on the current flowvolume, gas source device 140 increases or decreases the flow volume ofsupply gas delivered to remote delivery device 120. Such a change in theflow volume of supply gas is determined without feedback from a flowsensor included in remote delivery device 120 or in user interfacedevice 150. Thus, oxygen delivery system 100 is configured to enableremote adjustment to a flow of a supply gas from gas source 130 (forexample, oxygen), so that a user 101 can adjust flow volume of thesupply gas based on his or her needs at any time. Consequently, user 101can increase the supply gas flow volume from gas source 130 via remotedelivery device 120 while ambulating and then, when stationary, canreduce the supply gas flow volume as needed.

User interface device 150 is pneumatically coupled to remote deliverydevice 120 and is configured as an interface that facilitates deliveryof a supply gas to user 101. As such, user interface device 150 receivessupply gas via remote delivery device 120 at a particular flow volumeand provides the supply gas to user 101. User interface device 150 canbe configured to provide supply gas to user 101 in any technicallyfeasible way. For example, in some embodiments, user interface device150 includes a nasal cannula or nasal pillow for providing supply gas tothe nostrils of user 101. Alternatively or additionally, in someembodiments user interface device 150 includes a partial or full-faceface mask for providing supply gas to the nostrils and mouth of user101. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments user interfacedevice 150 includes a mouthpiece for providing supply gas to the mouthof user 101.

Gas source 130 can be any technically feasible source of supply gas,such as a tank or an oxygen concentrator. In some embodiments, gassource 130 is configured as a stationary or substantially stationaryapparatus, and can be difficult to move about even within a homeenvironment. As a result, in such embodiments, gas source 130 is usuallylocated remotely from user 101. In embodiments in which gas source 130is wheeled and somewhat movable, as shown in FIG. 1, there can besignificant heat dissipation and noise associated with gas source 130,such as when gas source 130 is configured as an oxygen concentrator. Asa result, in such embodiments, gas source 130 is frequently locatedremotely from user 101, such as in a different room than that occupiedby user 101.

Remote delivery device 120 is a portable device configured to controldelivery of supply gas to user 101 based on a current setting of remotedelivery device 120 that has been selected by user 101. In someembodiments, remote delivery device 120 is implemented as a handhelddevice. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a closer view of remote delivery device 120, according tovarious embodiments. Remote delivery device 120 includes one or moreuser input devices 210 that enable user 101 to select a specific settingfor the flow volume of supply gas to user 101 and/or a specific therapymode of remote delivery device 120. Thus, in some embodiments, user 101selects a desired setting for the flow volume of supply gas via one ormore of user input devices 210. Alternatively or additionally, in someembodiments, user 101 selects a desired therapy mode for remote deliverydevice 120 via one or more of user input devices 210, such as constantflow mode or intermittent flow mode. Input devices 210 can include oneor more of a mechanical button, a capacitive button, a switch, a dial, aslider, a touchpad, and the like.

Remote delivery device 120 further includes an inlet 231 and an outlet232. Inlet 231 is fluidly coupled, for example via flexible gas tubing201, to gas source device 140 (not shown), and outlet 232 is fluidlycoupled, for example via flexible gas tubing 202, to user interfacedevice 150 (not shown). Because gas source device 140 is typicallydisposed in a remote location from user 101, flexible gas tubing 201 isgenerally 10 feet or greater in length. In addition, flexible gas tubing201 is pressurized to a specified level via a regulator or otherpressure control device included in gas source device 140.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, remote delivery device 120 isconfigured as a handheld device. In other embodiments, remote deliverydevice 120 may have a different portable configuration, such as acontrol pendant configuration, a belt-clip configuration, and the like.

As noted above, when user 101 selects a particular setting via one ormore of input devices 210, remote delivery device 120 modifies the flowvolume of supply gas in response. Gas source device 140 then determinesthe current setting of remote delivery device 120 and controls deliveryof supply gas to user 101 based on the current setting of remotedelivery device 120. In some embodiments, remote delivery device 120modifies the flow volume of supply gas via a flow control deviceincluded in remote delivery device 120. One such embodiment is describedbelow in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed illustration of remote delivery device 120,according to various embodiments. As shown, remote delivery deviceincludes a flow control device 311 (such as a control valve), a triggersensor 312, a controller 313, a power supply 314 (such as a battery) andone or more input devices 210. Flow control device 311 is configured tocontrol flow volume of supply gas passing through remote delivery device120 in response to a control signal 303 from controller 313. Forexample, in some embodiments, flow control device 311 is implemented asa solenoid or proportional valve. Trigger sensor 312 can be a pressuresensor configured to measure a difference between a user pressure, suchas that measured at outlet 232, and an ambient pressure, such as thatmeasured external to remote delivery device 120. As such, trigger sensor312 can detect when a user begins inhaling and a bolus of supply gas isto be provided by remote delivery device 120. Trigger sensor 312 isfurther configured to generate a trigger signal 302 in response to atrigger threshold being exceeded, such as a measured differentialpressure between the user pressure at outlet 232 and the ambientpressure external to remote delivery device 120. Alternatively, triggersensor 312 is configured to generate a value for trigger signal 302continuously, where the value indicates a current differential pressurebetween the user pressure and the ambient pressure. In such embodiments,controller 313 determines whether a trigger threshold is exceeded.

Controller 313 is configured to generate control signal 303 foradjusting flow control device 311 based on input signal 301 from inputdevice(s) 210 and, in some embodiments, on trigger signal 302 fromtrigger sensor 312. Controller 313 can be implemented as any suitablecomputing device, such as a stand-alone chip (eg, a microprocessor), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-a-chip(SoC), and the like.

In some embodiments, controller 313 is configured to operate in a flowmode. In such embodiments, controller 313 is configured to generate aspecific control signal 303 for each different setting available to beselected by input device(s) 210. In such embodiments, each settingcorresponds to a different target flow volume of supply gas to a userand, thus, a different flow control position of flow control device 311.Thus, in response to a particular input signal 301 from input device(s)210, controller 313 is configured to generate a corresponding controlsignal 303 to adjust flow control device 311 appropriately.

Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, controller 313 isconfigured to operate in an intermittent flow mode. In such embodiments,controller 313 is configured to generate a specific control signal 303for each different setting available to be selected by input device(s)210, where each setting corresponds to a different target flow volume ofsupply gas to a user. In such embodiments, each setting may correspondto a different time interval during which flow control device 311remains open to allow a bolus of supply gas to be supplied to a user.Thus, in response to a particular input signal 301 from input device(s)210, controller 313 is configured to generate a corresponding controlsignal 303 to open flow control device 311 for an appropriate timeinterval. In this way, a bolus of a specified volume of supply gas isprovided to the user when inhalation is detected, for example by triggersensor 312. In an alternative embodiment, in response to a particularinput signal 301 from input device(s) 210, controller 313 is configuredto employ a different combination of time interval and flow controlposition of flow control device 311 to generate a different flow volumeof supply gas to a user for each setting available to be selected byinput device(s) 210.

In some embodiments, controller 313 is further configured to cause flowcontrol device 311 to perform one or more specific actions in responseto a user selecting a new flow volume setting for remote delivery device120. In such embodiments, gas source device 140 can then determine theflow volume setting selected by the user based on the one or morespecific actions performed by flow control device 311. For instance, insome embodiments, when remote delivery device 120 is in a flow mode,controller 313 is configured to cause flow control device 311 to cycleopen and closed a specified number of times in a specified time intervalin response to a user selecting a new flow volume setting for remotedelivery device 120. In such embodiments, the number of times flowcontrol device 311 cycles open and closed in the specified time interval(g, one second) indicates a specific setting of remote delivery device120. In some embodiments, when remote delivery device 120 is in anintermittent flow mode, in response to a user selecting a new flowvolume setting for remote delivery device 120, controller 313 isconfigured to cause flow control device 311 to remain open for aspecified time interval and then cycle closed. In such embodiments, theduration of time interval that flow control device 311 remains openindicates a specific setting of remote delivery device 120. In the aboveembodiments, gas source device 140 can detect specific actions performedby flow control device 311 based on flow rate and/or pressuremeasurements at an outlet of gas source device 140.

Returning to FIG. 1, gas source device 140 can be mounted to gas source130, incorporated into gas source 130, or disposed proximate gas source130. Gas source device 140 is fluidly coupled to an outlet of gas source130 and is configured to determine the current therapy mode of a user(e, flow mode or intermittent flow mode). In addition, gas source device140 is configured to determine a current flow rate setting of remotedelivery device 120, which is typically user-selected. Based on thedetermined flow rate setting of remote delivery device 120, gas sourcedevice 140 controls flow of supply gas from gas source 130 to remotedelivery device 120. In this way, a target flow volume of supply gasthat corresponds to the current flow rate setting of remote deliverydevice 120 is delivered to the user through remote delivery device 120.One embodiment of gas source device 140 is described below inconjunction with FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of gas source device 140,according to various embodiments. As shown, gas source device 140includes a pressure controller 411, such as a pressure regulator, apressure sensor 412, a controller 413 for controlling the operations ofgas source device 140, and a flow sensor 415. Pressure controller 411 ispneumatically coupled to gas source 130 via an inlet 431 and isconfigured to control flow volume of supply gas through gas sourcedevice 140 in response to a control signal 403 from controller 413. Forexample, in some embodiments, pressure controller 411 controls flowvolume of supply gas through gas source device 140 by controlling apressure of supply gas at an outlet 432 of gas source device 140.Pressure sensor 412 is configured to measure the pressure of supply gasat outlet 432 and generate a corresponding pressure signal 402, and flowsensor 415 is configured to measure flow volume of supply gas throughgas source device 140 and generate a corresponding flow signal 405.

Controller 413 can be implemented as any suitable computing device, suchas a stand-alone chip (e.g., a microprocessor), an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), and so forth.Controller 413, in conjunction with one or more of pressure controller411, pressure sensor 412, and/or flow sensor 415 forms a control systemof gas source device 140. Controller 413 is configured to generatecontrol signal 403 for adjusting pressure controller 411 based onpressure signal 402 from pressure sensor 412, on flow signal 405 fromflow sensor 415, and/or on one or more signals 430 from gas sourcedevice 130 (e.g., a signal indicating a pressure measured in a producttank of gas source device 130). In some embodiments, when a user changesa current setting value of remote delivery device 120 to a new settingvalue, controller 413 is configured to determine the new setting value,determine a target flow volume of supply gas that corresponds to the newsetting value, and compare the current flow volume of supply gas to thetarget flow volume. Gas source device 140 is further configured to thenadjust the flow volume of supply gas being delivered to remote deliverydevice 120 accordingly.

As noted above, in some embodiments, controller 413 is configured todetermine a new setting value of remote delivery device 120 whenselected by a user. In some embodiments, controller 413 is configured todetermine the new setting value based on pressure signal 402 frompressure sensor 412, flow signal 405 from flow sensor 415, and/or knownflow characteristics of flow control device 311 in remote deliverydevice 120 (shown in FIG. 3). In such embodiments, flow signal 405indicates a change in flow volume of supply gas that occurs when a userchanges a current setting value of remote delivery device 120 to a newsetting value. For example, a user preparing to stand and beginambulating may want to increase an oxygen flow volume to a level knownto be adequate for ambulation. In such embodiments, given a current flowvolume (as indicated by flow signal 405), a current outlet pressure (asindicated by pressure signal pressure signal 402), and knowledge of theflow characteristics of flow control device 311 at each availablesetting, controller 413 can determine the new setting value of remotedelivery device 120. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments,controller 413 is configured to determine the new setting value based onone or more specific actions performed by flow control device, such ascycling open and closed a specific number of times.

As noted above, in some embodiments, controller 413 is configured todetermine a target flow volume of supply gas that corresponds to the newsetting value for remote delivery device 120. In such embodiments,controller 431 can use a lookup table that indicates a unique targetflow volume of supply gas for each available setting for remote deliverydevice 120.

As noted above, in some embodiments, controller 413 is configured todetermine the current flow volume of supply gas to remote deliverydevice 120. When remote delivery device 120 is in intermittent mode,controller 413 determines the current flow volume to remote deliverydevice 120 during a time interval in which a bolus of gas is deliveredto the user by remote delivery device 120. Alternatively, when remotedelivery device 120 is in constant flow mode, controller 413 determinesthe current flow volume to remote delivery device 120 during anysuitable time interval (q, from a fraction of a second to up to 10seconds), since the gas from the gas source is continuously delivered tothe user by the remote delivery device.

As noted above, in some embodiments, controller 413 is configured tocompare the current flow volume of supply gas to the target flow volumeand then adjust the flow volume of supply gas being delivered to remotedelivery device 120 accordingly. In some embodiments, once a target flowvolume of supply gas is determined, controller 413 employs aproportional gain control system to adjust the flow volume of supply gasvia a target outlet pressure. For example, in such embodiments, acurrent outlet pressure (as indicated by pressure signal 402) can beemployed to determine a new target outlet pressure setting for pressurecontroller 411. In one such embodiment, the new target outlet pressureequals the previous target pressure plus the product of a proportionalgain constant and the measured flow volume error. In some embodiments,the measured flow volume error is the target flow volume associated withthe new setting value for remote delivery device 120 minus the currentlymeasured flow volume. In such an embodiment, the currently measured flowvolume is typically integrated over a certain time interval. Further, insuch an embodiment, the proportional gain constant can be characterizedas part of the design process and programmed into controller 413 ordetermined in a calibration process of gas source device 140.

In some embodiments, controller 413 is configured to determine a currenttherapy mode selection of remote delivery device 120. In embodiments inwhich remote delivery device 120 is coupled to a ventilator and gassource 130 is an oxygen concentrator, remote delivery device 120 istypically employed in an intermittent flow mode. When remote deliverydevice 120 is in intermittent flow mode, the current therapy modeselection of remote delivery device 120 can be determined by controller413 based on the distinct step reductions in product pressure that occurin a product tank of the oxygen concentrator. For example, the pressureramp and overall magnitude of the step reduction in pressure that occurwhen a user makes an inspiratory effort (and a bolus of supply gas fromremote delivery device 120 is supplied to the ventilator) can bedetected and quantified by controller 413 to determine that remotedelivery device 120 is in an intermittent flow mode. In embodiments inwhich remote delivery device 120 is coupled to a nasal cannula or nasalpillow, remote delivery device 120 is typically employed in a flow mode.When remote delivery device 120 is in flow mode, the current therapymode selection of remote delivery device 120 can be determined bycontroller 413 based on a constant flow of gas being provided by remotedelivery device 120 to the user.

Constant Flow Mode

FIG. 5 sets forth a flow diagram of method steps for delivering a supplygas to user interface device 150 in a constant flow mode, according tovarious embodiments. Although the method steps are described inconjunction with the systems of FIGS. 1-4, persons skilled in the artwill understand that any system configured to perform the method steps,in any order, is within the scope of the embodiments. In variousembodiments, while in constant flow mode, supply gas is providedcontinuously to a user at a constant flow volume, where the flow volumeis based on a setting value selected by a user on remote delivery device120. Further, as shown, certain method steps are performed by controller313 of remote delivery device 120 and certain method steps are performedby controller 413 of gas source device 140. Prior to executing themethod steps, remote delivery device 120, gas source 130, and gas sourcedevice 140 are pneumatically coupled to each other and turned on.

A method 500 begins at step 511, where controller 313 starts operationof remote delivery device 120. In step 512, controller 313 determineswhether a user selection is received, for example via input signal 301from one or more of input devices 210. If no, method 500 returns step512; if yes, method 500 proceeds to step 513. In step 513, controller313 determines whether the received user selection is an OFF command, azero flow command, or the like. If yes, method 500 proceeds to step 515and terminates; if no, method 500 proceeds to step 514.

In step 514, controller 313 adjusts flow control device 311 in responseto the user selection received in step 512. For example, in someembodiments, controller 313 adjusts flow control device 311 to aspecific flow control position that corresponds to the user selectionreceived in step 512. By changing the flow control position of flowcontrol device 311, the pressure-flow characteristic of flow controldevice 311 changes. As a result, flow through remote delivery device 120and pressure present at inlet 231 of remote delivery device 120 bothchange. Such pneumatic feedback 550 is detectable by gas source device140, for example via flow sensor 415 and/or pressure sensor 412. In someembodiments, in step 514 controller 313 also causes flow control device311 to perform one or more specific actions, such as cycling open andclosed a number of times that indicates the user selection received instep 512. In such embodiments, the one or more specific actionscontribute to pneumatic feedback 550, and therefore can be detected bygas source device 140.

In step 515, controller 313 closes flow control device 311 in responseto the OFF command received in step 512.

In step 521, controller 413 starts operation of gas source device 140.In step 522, controller 413 selects a default pressure as a targetoutput pressure at outlet 432 of gas source device 140. In step 523,controller 413 controls the output pressure measured at outlet 432 tothe target output pressure, for example via pressure controller 411. Instep 524, controller 413 monitors the output pressure at outlet 432,which is the pressure in flexible gas tubing 201 between gas sourcedevice 140 and remote handheld device 120. Thus, in step 524, controller413 can detect pneumatic feedback 550 that occurs in response to flowcontrol device 311. In some embodiments, pneumatic feedback 550 includesa discrete change in flow volume and/or pressure in response to the flowcontrol position of flow control device 311 being changed. In someembodiments, pneumatic feedback 550 further includes a series of changesin flow volume and pressure that occur in response to flow controldevice 311 performing one or more specific actions, such as cycling openand closed a predetermined number of times.

In step 525, controller 413 determines whether there is a change in theflow characteristic of flow control device 311, for example via pressuresensor 412 and/or flow sensor 415. If no, method 500 returns to step 523and controller 413 continues to control to the selected target outputpressure; if yes, method 500 proceeds to step 526. In step 526,controller 413 determines the new setting at remote delivery device 120,for example based on pressure signal 402 from pressure sensor 412, flowsignal 405 from flow sensor 415, and/or known flow characteristics offlow control device 311 at the different available settings. In step527, controller 413 measures the currently delivered flow volume ofsupply gas to remote delivery device 120 and compares the measuredvolume to the target flow volume associated with the new setting atremote delivery device 120.

In step 528, controller 413 determines whether the currently deliveredflow volume equals (or is within a threshold value of) the target flowvolume associated with the new setting. If yes, method 500 returns tostep 524 and controller 413 continues to monitor output pressure of gassource device 140; if no, method proceeds to step 529. In step 529,controller 413 determines a new target outlet pressure. In someembodiments, controller 413 employs a proportional gain control systemto determine a new target outlet pressure that adjusts the flow volumeof supply gas.

Intermittent Flow Mode

FIG. 6 sets forth a flowchart of method steps for delivering a supplygas to user interface device 150 in an intermittent flow mode, accordingto various embodiments. Although the method steps are described inconjunction with the systems of FIGS. 1-4, persons skilled in the artwill understand that any system configured to perform the method steps,in any order, is within the scope of the embodiments. In variousembodiments, intermittent flow mode, supply gas is provided in adiscrete bolus to a user when inhalation is detected, where the bolushas a specific timing and/or volume. Further, the timing and/or flowvolume of the bolus is based on a setting value selected by a user onremote delivery device 120. Thus, for each user-selected setting (e.g.,from 1 to 5), remote delivery device 120, operating in conjunction withgas source device 140 and gas source 130, delivers a different volume ofgas and/or over a time interval of a different duration to the user.

As shown, certain method steps are performed by controller 313 of remotedelivery device 120 and certain method steps are performed by controller413 of gas source device 140. Prior to the method steps, remote deliverydevice 120, gas source 130, and gas source device 140 are pneumaticallycoupled to each other and turned on.

A method 600 begins at step 611, where controller 313 starts operationof remote delivery device 120. In step 612, controller 313 determineswhether a user selection is received, for example via input signal 301from one or more of input devices 210. If no, method 600 returns step612; if yes, method 600 proceeds to step 613. In step 613, controller313 determines whether the received user selection is an OFF command, azero flow command, or the like. If yes, method 600 proceeds to step 618and terminates; if no, method 600 proceeds to step 614.

In step 614, controller 313 waits for detection of a trigger event, forexample as indicated by a trigger signal 302 from trigger sensor 312. Instep 615, controller 313 determines whether a trigger threshold isexceeded. For example, in some embodiments, controller 313 determines atrigger threshold is exceeded when a value of trigger signal 302indicates that a differential pressure between the user pressure atoutlet 232 and the ambient pressure external to remote delivery device120 exceeds a threshold value. Generally, such a trigger threshold isexceeded when a user begins inhalation.

In step 616, controller 313 opens flow control device for a prescribedtime interval in response to detecting that the trigger threshold isexceeded in step 615. The duration of the prescribed time interval isbased on the user selection received in step 612, and/or the patientsbreath rate. Thus, for higher selection values and delivery of moresupply gas, the prescribed time interval is longer in duration and/orthe volume delivery is higher, and for lower selection values anddelivery of less supply gas, the prescribed time interval is shorter induration and/or the volume delivery is lower. It is noted that changesin the delivery time and/or volume delivery of remote delivery device120 can be detected via pneumatic feedback 650 by gas source device 140,for example via flow sensor 415 and/or pressure sensor 415. In step 617,controller 313 determines whether a minimum exhalation time has elapsedsince the trigger threshold was exceeded in step 615. If no, method 600returns to step 617; if yes, method 600 returns to step 615 andcontroller 313 waits for detection of another trigger event.

In step 618, controller 313 closes flow control device 311 in responseto the OFF command received in step 612.

In step 621, controller 413 starts operation of gas source device 140.In step 622, controller 413 selects a default pressure as a targetoutput pressure at outlet 432 of gas source device 140. In step 623,controller 413 controls the output pressure measured at outlet 432 tothe target output pressure, for example via pressure controller 411. Instep 624, controller 413 monitors the output pressure at outlet 432,which is the pressure in flexible gas tubing 201 between gas sourcedevice 140 and remote handheld device 120. Thus, in step 624, controller413 can detect pneumatic feedback 650 that occurs in response to flowcontrol device 311. In some embodiments, pneumatic feedback 650 includesa discrete change in flow volume and/or pressure in response to the flowcontrol position of flow control device 311 being changed.

In step 625, controller 413 determines whether there is a change in thedelivery time and/or volume of flow control device 311, for example viapressure sensor 412 and/or flow sensor 415. If no, method 600 returns tostep 623 and controller 413 continues to control to the selected targetoutput pressure; if yes, method 600 proceeds to step 626. In someembodiments, a drop in pressure measured by pressure sensor 412 for aperiod of time followed by a subsequent increase in pressure indicatesthe time interval during which remote delivery device 120 allows gas toflow to the user, which is the delivery time of flow control device 311.In some embodiments, the rate of drop in pressure measured by pressuresensor 412 indicates the flow rate during which remote delivery device120 allows gas to flow to the user, which is the delivered flow rate offlow control device 311. Alternatively, in some embodiments, an increasein flow from 0 to some significant flow rate and then returning to 0indicates the time interval during which remote delivery device 120allows gas to flow to the user. In some embodiments, the measured flowrate indicates the flow delivered to by remote delivery device 120.

In step 626, controller 413 determines the new setting at remotedelivery device 120, for example based on the new delivery timedetermined in step 625. In step 627, controller 413 measures thecurrently delivered flow volume of supply gas to remote delivery device120 and compares the measured volume to the target flow volumeassociated with the new setting at remote delivery device 120.

In step 628, controller 413 determines whether the currently deliveredflow volume equals (or is within a threshold value of) the target flowvolume associated with the new setting. If yes, method 600 returns tostep 624 and controller 413 continues to monitor output pressure of gassource device 140; if no, method proceeds to step 629. In step 629,controller 413 determines a new target outlet pressure. In someembodiments, controller 413 employs a proportional gain control systemto determine a new target outlet pressure that adjusts the flow volumeof supply gas.

In sum, the embodiments provide techniques for remotely controlling gasdelivery from a gas source, such as a tank or oxygen concentrator. Thesystem includes a gas source device, which is disposed proximate the gassource, and a remote delivery device, which can be carried or held bythe user. The gas source device is configured to determine the currenttherapy mode of a user (e.g., constant flow or intermittent flow). Thegas source device is further configured to determine a current flow ratesetting of the remote delivery device. Based on the current flow ratesetting of the remote delivery device, the gas source device controlsflow of supply gas from the gas source to the remote delivery device sothat a target flow volume of supply gas associated with the current flowrate setting is delivered to the patient through the remote deliverydevice.

At least one technical advantage of the disclosed techniques relative tothe prior art is that the disclosed techniques enable a user to remotelyadjust the flow volume of a supply gas, such as oxygen, with a handhelddevice that is remote from the gas source. Thus, a user can increase asupply gas flow volume from the gas source while ambulating and then,when stationary, can reduce the supply gas flow volume as needed.Another technical advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a flowcontrol system for a supply gas can be configured to deliver multipletypes of oxygen therapy, such as the industry standard constant flowoxygen delivery and inspiratory-triggered volume delivery. A furthertechnical advantage of the disclosed techniques is that a flow controlsystem can facilitate oxygen therapy in entrainment ventilation, whichtypically has higher delivery flow rates and provides positive pressureventilation. This technical advantage represents one or moretechnological improvements over prior art approaches.

1. In some embodiments, a system includes a gas source device fluidlycoupled to a gas source; an remote delivery device with an outlet forproviding gas to a user and an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of thegas source device; wherein the gas source device has a control systemthat: determines a current control setting of the remote delivery devicebased on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device; andmodifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to theremote delivery device based on the current control setting of theremote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gasassociated with the current control setting is delivered to the inlet.

2. The system of clause 1, wherein the control system further determinesa current therapy mode of the remote delivery device while the remotedelivery device is providing the gas to the outlet for providing gas tothe user.

3. The system of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the control system furtherdetermines a current therapy mode of the remote delivery device based onat least one of a flow of gas measured by a flow sensor included in thegas source device or a pressure change measured by a pressure sensorincluded in the gas source device.

4. The system of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the control system furtherdetermines that the remote delivery device is in an intermittent flowmode based on at least one of a timing of pressure changes measured by apressure sensor included in the gas source device or a reduction inpressure in a product tank of the gas source.

5. The system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the control system furtherdetermines that the remote delivery device is in a constant flow modebased on at least one of a lack of pressure changes in the pressure ofgas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery deviceduring a predetermined time interval or a constant flow volume of gasfrom the gas source device to the remote delivery device during thepredetermined time interval.

6. The system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the control system furthermeasures the pressure of gas during the predetermined time interval viaa pressure sensor included in the gas source device.

7. The system of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the control system furthermeasures the flow volume of gas from the gas source device to the remotedelivery device during the predetermined time interval via a flow sensorincluded in the gas source device.

8. The system of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the control system furtherdetermines the current control setting of the remote delivery devicebased on detection of a specific action performed by the remote deliverydevice while the remote delivery device provides the gas to the outletfor providing gas to the user.

9. The system of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the specific actioncomprises cycling a flow control device included in the remote deliverydevice a predetermined number of times within a specified time interval.

10. The system of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the pneumatic feedbackfrom the remote delivery device comprises at least one of a change inflow volume of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remotedelivery device or a change in pressure of gas flowing from the gassource device to the remote delivery device.

11. The system of any of clauses 1-10, wherein the control systemmeasures the change in the flow volume of gas flowing from the gassource device to the remote delivery device via a flow sensor includedin the gas source device.

12. The system of any of clauses 1-11, wherein the control systemmeasures the change in pressure of gas flowing from the gas sourcedevice to the remote delivery device via a pressure sensor included inthe gas source device.

13. In some embodiments, a method includes: at a gas source device thatis fluidly coupled to a gas source and a remote delivery device,determining a change in a flow characteristic of the remote deliverydevice based on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device;based on the change in the flow characteristic, determining a currentcontrol setting of the remote delivery device; and modifying a pressureof gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery devicebased on the current control setting of the remote delivery device, sothat a target flow volume of supply gas associated with the currentcontrol setting is delivered to an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet ofthe gas source device.

14. The method of clause 13, further comprising, prior to determiningthe change in the flow characteristic, monitoring a pressure of gasflowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device.

15. The method of clauses 13 or 14, wherein a pressure sensor includedin the gas source device monitors the pressure of gas flowing from thegas source device to the remote delivery device.

16. The method of any of clauses 13-15, wherein the pneumatic feedbackfrom the remote delivery device comprises at least one of a change inflow volume of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remotedelivery device or a change in pressure of gas flowing from the gassource device to the remote delivery device.

17. In some embodiments, a method includes: at a gas source device thatis fluidly coupled to a gas source and a remote delivery device,determining a change in a delivery time of the remote delivery devicebased on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device; based onthe change in the delivery time, determining a current control settingof the remote delivery device; and modifying a pressure of gas flowingfrom the gas source device to the remote delivery device based on thecurrent control setting of the remote delivery device, so that a targetflow volume of supply gas associated with the current flow rate settingis delivered to an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of the gas sourcedevice.

18. The method of clause 17, wherein the pneumatic feedback from theremote delivery device comprises at least one of a change in flow volumeof gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery deviceor a change in pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to theremote delivery device.

19. The method of clauses 17 or 18, wherein a flow sensor included inthe gas source device measures the change in the flow volume of gasflowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device.

20. The method of any of clauses 17-19, wherein a pressure sensorincluded in the gas source device measures the change in pressure of gasflowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device.

Any and all combinations of any of the claim elements recited in any ofthe claims and/or any elements described in this application, in anyfashion, fall within the contemplated scope of the present invention andprotection.

The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented forpurposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Aspects of the present embodiments may be embodied as a system, methodor computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the presentdisclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “module,” a“system,” or a “computer.” In addition, any hardware and/or softwaretechnique, process, function, component, engine, module, or systemdescribed in the present disclosure may be implemented as a circuit orset of circuits. Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may takethe form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine. The instructions, when executed via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, enable theimplementation of the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/orblock diagram block or blocks. Such processors may be, withoutlimitation, general purpose processors, special-purpose processors,application-specific processors, or field-programmable gate arrays.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

While the preceding is directed to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a gas source device fluidlycoupled to a gas source; an remote delivery device with an outlet forproviding gas to a user and an inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of thegas source device; wherein the gas source device has a control systemthat: determines a current control setting of the remote delivery devicebased on pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device; andmodifies a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to theremote delivery device based on the current control setting of theremote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gasassociated with the current control setting is delivered to the inlet.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system further determinesa current therapy mode of the remote delivery device while the remotedelivery device is providing the gas to the outlet for providing gas tothe user.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system furtherdetermines a current therapy mode of the remote delivery device based onat least one of a flow of gas measured by a flow sensor included in thegas source device or a pressure change measured by a pressure sensorincluded in the gas source device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontrol system further determines that the remote delivery device is inan intermittent flow mode based on at least one of a timing of pressurechanges measured by a pressure sensor included in the gas source deviceor a reduction in pressure in a product tank of the gas source.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the control system further determines thatthe remote delivery device is in a constant flow mode based on at leastone of a lack of pressure changes in the pressure of gas flowing fromthe gas source device to the remote delivery device during apredetermined time interval or a constant flow volume of gas from thegas source device to the remote delivery device during the predeterminedtime interval.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control systemfurther measures the pressure of gas during the predetermined timeinterval via a pressure sensor included in the gas source device.
 7. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the control system further measures the flowvolume of gas from the gas source device to the remote delivery deviceduring the predetermined time interval via a flow sensor included in thegas source device.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control systemfurther determines the current control setting of the remote deliverydevice based on detection of a specific action performed by the remotedelivery device while the remote delivery device provides the gas to theoutlet for providing gas to the user.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe specific action comprises cycling a flow control device included inthe remote delivery device a predetermined number of times within aspecified time interval.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein thepneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device comprises at leastone of a change in flow volume of gas flowing from the gas source deviceto the remote delivery device or a change in pressure of gas flowingfrom the gas source device to the remote delivery device.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the control system measures the change in the flowvolume of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote deliverydevice via a flow sensor included in the gas source device.
 12. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the control system measures the change inpressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remotedelivery device via a pressure sensor included in the gas source device.13. A method, comprising: at a gas source device that is fluidly coupledto a gas source and a remote delivery device, determining a change in aflow characteristic of the remote delivery device based on pneumaticfeedback from the remote delivery device; based on the change in theflow characteristic, determining a current control setting of the remotedelivery device; and modifying a pressure of gas flowing from the gassource device to the remote delivery device based on the current controlsetting of the remote delivery device, so that a target flow volume ofsupply gas associated with the current control setting is delivered toan inlet fluidly coupled to an outlet of the gas source device.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising, prior to determining the changein the flow characteristic, monitoring a pressure of gas flowing fromthe gas source device to the remote delivery device.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein a pressure sensor included in the gas source devicemonitors the pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to theremote delivery device.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thepneumatic feedback from the remote delivery device comprises at leastone of a change in flow volume of gas flowing from the gas source deviceto the remote delivery device or a change in pressure of gas flowingfrom the gas source device to the remote delivery device.
 17. A method,comprising: at a gas source device that is fluidly coupled to a gassource and a remote delivery device, determining a change in a deliverytime of the remote delivery device based on pneumatic feedback from theremote delivery device; based on the change in the delivery time,determining a current control setting of the remote delivery device; andmodifying a pressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to theremote delivery device based on the current control setting of theremote delivery device, so that a target flow volume of supply gasassociated with the current flow rate setting is delivered to an inletfluidly coupled to an outlet of the gas source device.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the pneumatic feedback from the remote delivery devicecomprises at least one of a change in flow volume of gas flowing fromthe gas source device to the remote delivery device or a change inpressure of gas flowing from the gas source device to the remotedelivery device.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a flow sensorincluded in the gas source device measures the change in the flow volumeof gas flowing from the gas source device to the remote delivery device.20. The method of claim 18, wherein a pressure sensor included in thegas source device measures the change in pressure of gas flowing fromthe gas source device to the remote delivery device.